Be VERY careful with iPhones when travelling.....

Interesting article, Ken, the key to which is they need your passcode.

I did realize I need to shorten the time of needing to enter the passcode when I’m traveling. I set it for a long time at home but traveling it needs to be different.

Thanks for posting!

Regarding the facial recognition point, I use it on my iPhone whenever I can BUT sometimes on holiday when it is very sunny and the glare on the screen is bright, the facial recognition feature doesn't always work so I use my pin code instead.

The deeper levels of protection against password changes are an important part of security here—just as important as not leaving the phone on the table.

Because despite how careful we may try to be we all make mistakes.

one has to do 2 dumb things

I bristle at these posts blaming the victim and saying people are stupid or dumb. Most North Americans have no experience with theft crime, and don't even know someone with experience, it doesn't occur to them there's a risk. It's fine to encourage smart behavior without denigrating.

At the core of the article is the use of the phone for so many activities beyond calling, texting, and internet access. That's really the crux of the issue. I regularly download and backup phone photos, everyone should (why does Apple make this a difficult thing to do? Sell more iCloud storage?). I do not have any apps with intricate financial information because that would make my life more complicated, not less.

I don't have facial recognition, it's an old phone. I do use the thumbprint but it won't work with a sweaty thumb. I manually turn off the phone (before setting it on the restaurant table).

I thought every iPhone had a 6 digit passcode, even the old ones. AFAIK a person has to go to effort to toggle off a 6 digit code and toggle on a 4 digit code, even on old iPhone 8s. So the article must be wrong here.

JoJo Rabbit-facial recognition does not work for me. I have the same problem when using Clear at the airport. That is why I use passcode.

I thought every iPhone had a 6 digit passcode, even the old ones. AFAIK a person has to go to effort to toggle off a 6 digit code and toggle on a 4 digit code, even on old iPhone 8s. So the article must be wrong here.

I have the iPhone X (late 2017) and use a 4 digit passcode. My wife has the same phone and she set a 6 digit code. So I think it is optional to use a 4 or 6 digit code.

Yes, the iPhone iOS has had the option for using 4-digit passcodes for quite some time; it defaults to 6-digit.

The article is a bit misleading; yes, if someone has your phone's passcode, they can get in it and do whatever they wish.

But that's the same as, "If they have the key to your car, they can steal it," or "if they have the keys to your house, they can get in and steal everything." So yes, be cautious about typing in a PIN code when in a crowded restaurant or bar where there could be the chance that someone could be watching, but the actual likelihood of this happening is pretty slim.

We go overseas a lot, and I use my iPhone 14 Pro to take photos these days (my Nikon 700 and expensive lenses are in a drawer gathering dust). I bought a case with a very strong wrist strap on it (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HVGF24C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), which I use only when I'm traveling; it will keep someone from grabbing my phone when I'm on the street, plus it secures the phone when I'm taking photos from a balcony, cruise ship railing, or other precarious spots. Because of the wrist strap, I tend not to put my phone down very often in public, instead letting it dangle. Much safer.

There are basic things one can do to stay safe--use a travel wallet (I prefer the over-the-neck variety); use a sturdy day pack and put the strap crosswise over the body; don't let strangers engage you on the street (this of course doesn't include sidewalk vendors); don't venture into unknown neighborhoods at night unless you know it's a safe area and you know where you're headed; leave expensive jewelry at home; if you're going to do some drinking, plan ahead and have a way to get back safely to your hotel.

I always keep my eyes peeled when I'm in a train or bus station; thieves get in and out easily, and the stations are usually bustling and crowded.

Interesting article. I just enabled a Recovery Contact - seemed like a good idea, especially for solo travel. I know how difficult it is to recover an Apple ID, but not any steps to facilitate doing so.

A tech question I will research that it talked about is the Recovery Key. I travel with my iPad signed in to my Apple ID (unless I leave it on a plane) so it seems like already having the Recovery Key flipped on might also work? Or at the very least not a technique someone can use to keep me locked out because of that.

Yes, Scudder, this. Because despite how careful we may try to be we all make mistakes.

Interesting article. I just enabled a Recovery Contact

I did the same. Easy enough to do, it could be very helpful in a crisis.

I also added my wife's phone as a "trusted device" so that she could contact apple on my behalf if I were to lose my phone abroad...

I also have the apple family share plan, and through that we are able to share our "location" and each of us can use "find my" for all of our devices, meaning we all have the ability to track each other's devices, and also we can mark a device as lost or stolen, or even erase the device. I can think of times it would be helpful to contact a family member to help with that...

You ask about the recovery key option - that is pretty technical stuff, be careful with that. I am not sure I am going to do that just yet, need to understand it better.

I prefer the over-the-neck variety

The flaw with these is that your life is dangling by a string, and strings break (or get cut deliberately).

The flaw with these is that your life is dangling by a string, and strings break (or get cut deliberately).

I see people wear these outside of their shirt, and that is not the proper way to use one. It should be under your shirt...

I use one, prefer it to the ones worn around the waist. I don't pull it out in public.

Exactly; don't wear an over-the-neck wallet outside your shirt! In my opinion, that defeats the whole purpose!

I wear mine under my shirt, and I'm extremely cautious about when I pull it out to extract money. Usually, I go into a rest room, grab whatever cash I think I might need in the next hour, and then put it back.

Nobody's going to cut a string on a neck wallet if they don't know it's there.

Also, if I do carry my wallet overseas, which is almost never, I would have it in a front pocket. Usually my wallet's hidden in my suitcase somewhere, along with my passport. I don't carry my passport, but do carry a passport card, which you can buy from the Passport office.

I quit wearing a travel wallet that hangs from your body after my 1996 trip in London when it fell off when I was walking and I didn't notice. Lost my passport, money and credit cards. Eventually I got it all back (someone found the wallet and turned it into the police, who returned it to my B&B owner, who mailed it to me) but it caused a lot of inconvenience in the meantime.

Now I just use a crossbody bag, and always keep it secure. It helps, I think, that I travel solo and have less distractions than people traveling in a group but I'm still careful.

I think the article was good - it pays to be cautious with your phone. I have mine set to a 6 digit number, and use every security feature offered. But I also think Apple could make it easier for people to recover their accounts. It's ridiculous the hoops the iPhone user featured in the article is having to go through!

I quit wearing a travel wallet that hangs from your body after my 1996 trip in London when it fell off when I was walking and I didn't notice.

We have this is common! Happened to me also, and I was wearing it under a T-shirt but it still hit the ground without my noticing. I was walking through tall grass.

It should be under your shirt...

Not to freak people out but yes, there are countries where people will cut these off even when worn under a shirt, there is a preventative method to stitch a wire through the string to prevent this. Or buy one sold as "slashproof."

I quit wearing a travel wallet that hangs from your body after my 1996 trip in London when it fell off when I was walking and I didn't notice.

How does a neck wallet "fall off"? Did the cord snap? The neck wallet I have is new and pretty doggone sturdy, heavy duty strap...I also keep my shirt tucked in, so if it somehow "fell off" it would be inside my shirt...

Jojo, it was October and chilly so I was wearing a long raincoat. I didn't notice it until I got to my first stop that day (Twinings) and saw that it was missing. I have no idea how it fell off. I can't remember now if I even looked at the wallet when I got back, although I probably would have noticed if the cord had snapped, so I don't think that happened. It was probably the catch that came undone.

I never wear tucked-in shirts - I prefer loose comfortable clothing. Plus wearing something like that against my skin would drive me crazy.

Tom, interesting! How long did it take for you to notice it fell? I think if I had not been wearing the raincoat, I would have noticed it right away. I don't remember what I was wearing, but probably a base layer, the wallet, and then a loose top over it.

It was probably the catch that came undone.

The current neck wallets, at least the one I have, doesn't have any "catch" or anyway to disconnect the cord from the wallet. You did say this was 1996, so maybe the design was flawed back then?

It's possible, Jojo - as I said, I really don't remember much. I was just so happy to get everything back. I'm sure the neck wallets are made better now, but I still don't feel comfortable with one. And I've never had any problems since then with my crossbody bag. :)

I read this in the WSJ last week. Everybody should read this and, yes, it’s important to be careful when you’re in public unlocking your iPhone with a passcode in public. It isn’t the Wall Street Journal intentionally blaming the victim; it’s a warning to be very careful when entering a 4 or 6 digit code if entering a code is required to unlock your iPhone. Thieves are walking all over crowded spaces whether it’s a bar, security lines, etc.

Did the cord snap?

Likely, I wore it every day for 11 months.

I would keep that neck strap well tucked in too. I had an acquaintance many years ago, sitting in cafe in Rome when a moped went past and the driver reached out and grabbed the strap. Unfortunately it didn't break and the poor woman ended up pretty badly hurt after being dragged for a while. You will notice most things these days that go around the neck have a break point built in to prevent people from being decapitated. I noticed many of the neck wallets do not.

This thing is advertised for not forgetting your phone, but it works the same if someone picks up you phone and walks away or if your strap breaks and it falls out of your shorts. Of course, you have to make sure that no thief steals the receiver.

https://youtu.be/Gz8R2QtR5jk

I prefer a flip phone that fits deep in my front pocket. (go ahead TexasTravelMom, say it, rat me out).

I had an acquaintance many years ago, sitting in cafe in Rome when a moped went past and the driver reached out and grabbed the strap

Grabbed the strap of what? A neck wallet? A necklace? Or a purse?

Seems more likely it was a purse, or one of these "cross body" bag solutions many women seem to use...the problem I see with the cross body bag is that everybody, including would be thieves, can see it...an under the shirt neck wallet would be far less conspicuous.

Anyway, I always wear a collared shirt, and the strap to my neck wallet is hidden. I never access the wallet in public. Never.

I also don't sit curbside next to moving traffic...that has been a risk for theft of anything you have on display or have set down on the table or have hanging off the back of your chair...that threat of theft from a motorcycle thief goes back well before cell phones or neck wallets...

I have a RSE neck wallet, but now that Mardee suggested it, I'm going to use my day bag to carry my money, instead of the neck wallet. The bag I use is very strong, has a pair of straps that secure it to my body, so it's not going to be grabbed off me, and probably wouldn't succumb to a slash-and-dash either.

I NEVER walk about with my passport; I leave it in the hotel, carry a passport card that has all the info I would need if something were to happen. I also carry copies of my COVID cards as well these days.

Jojo. It was a Cafe in a pedestrian zone. Just a neck wallet.

Passport? not going to say I always carry mine, but it is illegal not to in most countries. Sort of the pill bottle discussion.

This discussion has sure digressed from the article. Lol.

JoJo, I decided that even if a thief switched on the Recovery Key, the fact that I would have access to my ID through my iPad already would mean I would not be locked out of my ID. That seems to only be a problem without a second device using your Apple ID. So no need for me to do anything about that. Even if I never recovered my actual phone. All good to think about.

I hope nobody hates me because I quit neck (or waist) wallets a long time ago.

Mister E, you could stop pretending you are not high-tech…. Although maybe that is more fun. 😝

Passport? not going to say I always carry mine, but it is illegal not to in most countries. Sort of the pill bottle discussion.

I carry mine pretty much always because I almost always wear my neck wallet, especially if I am out and away from the hotel for the day. The one exception would be if I am having dinner near the hotel, in which case I may lock up the neck wallet in the room safe, and thus will leave my passport in the room. I get so used to wearing the neck wallet I feel naked without it...I will see how this upcoming trip to Paris goes, but I anticipate wearing it every time I leave the hotel.

Where the hell are people leaving their passports in their rooms? In addition to the legal necessity to carry proper ID, I would never leave my passport "hidden" inside my suitcase or somewhere in the room.

I decided that even if a thief switched on the Recovery Key, the fact that I would have access to my ID through my iPad already would mean I would not be locked out of my ID.

But therein lies the dilemma. If a thief can get into your iPhone (he saw you enter your security code, stole the phone), he can also change your Apple ID before you can do anything about it - that is the flaw in the iPhone security setup that is the issue raised in the warnings...not sure what good having the recovery key is going to for anybody who loses their phone to a thief who can open the phone.

The advice in the original article still is the best: don't type your passcode into your phone in public settings, and if you never do that, you have very little to worry about if the phone is snatched from you.

And don't set your phone down on a bar or table...I mean, that is pretty basic, right?

If a thief can get into your iPhone (he saw you enter your security code, stole the phone), he can also change your Apple ID before you can do anything about it - that is the flaw in the iPhone security setup that is the issue raised in the warnings...not sure what good having the recovery key is going to for anybody who loses their phone to a thief who can open the phone.

There is a way around that - just set up a Screen Time passcode. I have that on my phone - I usually don't activate it when I'm at home but I do in Europe. You set it up so that you cannot purchase apps, or change the regular phone password and some other things, but it's set with a different passcode. So the thief would not be able to change your Apple password without knowing the 2nd 4-digit passcode. To set it up, just go to Settings and scroll down to Screen Time.

It's usually used by parents who want to control their children's phones (my daughter has it set up for her 13 year old) but it's also a good security device for your own phone.

There is a way around that - just set up a Screen Time passcode. I have that on my phone - I usually don't activate it when I'm at home but I do in Europe. You set it up so that you cannot purchase apps, or change the regular phone password and some other things, but it's set with a different passcode. So the thief would not be able to change your Apple password without knowing the 2nd 4-digit passcode.

So how in practice does that work? Are you setting your screen to lock after some short amount of time? Does that interfere with your use of the phone? If I am in the privacy of my room, checking email, do I simply deactivate the screen time passcode, but activate when I am out in public?

So how in practice does that work? Are you setting your screen to lock after some short amount of time? Does that interfere with your use of the phone? If I am in the privacy of my room, checking email, do I simply deactivate the screen time passcode, but activate when I am out in public?

No, the screen doesn't lock. What it does is make it impossible for anyone to change the passcode (or change other security features) without entering a separate 4-digit passcode. As I said, most Screen Time users use it for their kids - they set it up so the kids cannot change their passcode or purchase apps and so on without the parent's consent.

But it can certainly be used to secure your own phone. And it has a very easy "turn on/turn off" feature that takes a second to do. So conceivably you could turn off Screen Time in your hotel but when you leave, switch it on while you are out in public. It's quick and easy and prohibits anyone from changing your PIN unless they know the second passcode.

Yikes. Makes me not want to travel. But really you never leave a wallet sitting there on a table do you? I am in no way blaming the victim. We all get forgetful on holidays. Well I do.

Another advantage of a flip phone.

Don't leave your phone (iPhone or other type) lying around unattended anywhere in the world. Even at home it's not a good idea (especially if you live in a big city). If you're not using your phone lock it and put it in your pocket (front pants pocket is best).

I want a case with somecsortvof strap for my phone so that when i am holding it to take photos i am le ss likly to drop it. Same reason all my cameras have had straps over years